Goater in talks with Royals

TOP transfer target Shaun Goater has had his first taste of life in Reading after looking around Madejski Stadium yesterday.

Manchester City's 33-year-old Bermudan international striker met with boss Alan Pardew and it is understood he was impressed with the set-up.

His wife returns from their homeland next Wednesday and it is likely he will show her the sights of the town before making his final choice.

Goater will have to take a big pay cut from his Premiership wage and Royals face stiff competition for the £600,000 player from Sunderland, Sheffield United and Nottingham Forest.

But Pardew said: "Financially the deal with him is more or less done. I'm fortunate that I have here a budget that allows me to bring in a striker and there aren't too many clubs in the First Division who can do that without selling.

"The only problem is he has firm roots in Manchester and it will be a wrench for him to leave.

"I will understand if he decides not to come here, but I hope he accepts the challenge and makes Reading his home.

"He's looked around and I don't think you can't not be impressed with the set-up here.

"We're the team of the millennium, but I'm not saying we're the best club out of those interested in him because that wouldn't be true.

"I know his mentality and one thing is he won't just want to see out his days here. He'll want to win things.

"I've told him I'm in no rush and to take his time, and I have no worries about going to Ipswich with what we've got already."